O wyzwaniach w badaniu trudnych zjawisk. Metodologiczne aspekty badań terenowych na przykładzie zjawiska prostytucji kobiecej

The aim of this article is to shed light on diverse problems a researcher might encounter in the process of conducting field research on difficult phenomena which are often enough, resistant to immediate cognition. Drawing on specific experiences and research situations, in the context of data collection techniques applied during the study, the focus is here on the importance of self-reflection regarding one’s own research behaviour at every stage of developing a study. It is also indicated in this article that specific standards of conducting a research are often of no use when it comes to research practice, what a researcher refers to, dealing with specific dilemmas, back to his/her experience in the field work or one’s intuition. Therefore, with an eye to expedite research projects regarding difficult phenomena, reflections on methodological and ethical dilemmas – along with difficulties resulting from one’s bodily constraints – that emerged during the study regarding female prostitution within the universe of escort agencies are presented in this article.